Jose Mourinho after Juventus game: The Manchester United manager has responded to the side’s 1-0 loss against the Italian champions.
Manchester United failed to continue on their spirited performances in the Premier League as they slumped to a 1-0 defeat against Juventus.
Paolo Dybala scored the goal in the first half to give Juventus the lead, and Manchester United failed to make a comeback throughout the game. In the second half, United came close on occasions but the poor set of moves in the final third costed them the match.
With this loss, Manchester United are now five points behind Juventus. However, they remain at 2nd position as Valencia were forced to a 1-1 draw by Young Boys.
As Manchester United suffered their first defeat in the Champions League and the fifth of the season, Jose Mourinho interacted with the media for the post-match commens.
Jose Mourinho after Juventus game:
The Manchester United manager insisted that he wasn’t left with choice to change the course of the game.
“After the draw, we knew it would be a fight with Valencia for the second place and that’s what we’re going to try,” admitted Mourinho.
“No Fellaini today to help us change the direction of the game, like we do so many times,” said Mourinho on the lack of substitutions.
Usual pattern. Nothing first half, better second half. When you do that against crap teams like Newcastle, you can win. Against decent teams like Chelsea you draw. Against top teams like Juve you lose.
— Scott Patterson (@R_o_M) October 23, 2018
The Manchester United manager was also appreciative of Juventus defenders after the game.
“Mr Bonucci and Mr Chiellini could go to Harvard to give listens on central defending. Fantastic, absolutely fantastic.”
Mourinho: “To go to the Barcelona level? The Real Madrid level? The Juventus level? The Man City level? It’s not so easy.”
— Man Utd Stuff (@ManUtdStuff) October 23, 2018
Jose Mourinho, meanwhile, admitted that his side is still behind the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus, and city rivals Manchester City when it comes to the quality of football.
An entertaining press conference from Mourinho but a load of expectation-managing, and effective downplaying of what United are. Speaking as if they’re (no disrespect) Spurs resources.
The lines about Fellaini and always battling to finish second?
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) October 23, 2018
“To go to the Barcelona level? The Real Madrid level? The Juventus level? The Man City level? It’s not so easy,” said Mourinho.
What next?
Manchester United will now make a trip to Turin to play the away leg against Juventus next month. The side will return to Premier League action on Sunday as United hosts Merseyside club Everton.
Mourinho has a typically loaded go when asked how far United are off CL, saying Juventus “want the best players in the world”, “have big ambition”, “put everything there”.
Then:
“I don’t say they go to win CL, they go to win treble. But treble is ours. They don’t have it… yet”— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) October 23, 2018
Jose Mourinho’s side is currently 10th in the Premier League and would aim to bring their campaign back on track with a win.
